Zurich Classic Preview, TV Times

Patrick Reed makes his return after winning the Masters earlier this month

Zurich Classic Preview, TV Times
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Zurich Classic returns this week and there's a strong field assembled at TPC Louisiana

Zurich Classic Preview, TV Times

The PGA Tour is back in New Orleans for what promises to be a fun week at TPC Louisiana.

For the second year in a row, the Zurich Classic will be a doubles event and this year's field is much stronger than last time out.

Patrick Reed makes his first start since winning the Green Jacket whilst Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia and Tommy Fleetwood and Henrik Stenson are all playing. World number nine Brooks Koepka makes his first start since the Tournament of Champions after a wrist injury.

The format will see alternate shot on Thursday and Saturday and best ball on Friday and Sunday. FedEx Cup points and prizemoney are up for grabs and will be split between the pairings. There will be no world ranking points on offer.

The weekend will see players walk out on to the tee with music which is a first for the PGA Tour.

Last year, Jonas Blixt and Cameron Smith beat Kevin Kisner and Scott Brown in a Monday playoff after a dramatic finale on Sunday as Kevin Kisner holed out for eagle to force the playoff.

Kisner celebrates holing an eagle pitch on the final hole last year. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)

There are some strong teams this week with three of the duos containing both men inside the world's top 25, they are: Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose, Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar and Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello.

Other pairings to watch out for our Patrick Reed and Patrick Cantlay, Jon Rahm and Wesley Bryan, Jordan Spieth and Ryan Palmer and Justin Thomas and Bud Cauley.

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One of the oldest events on the PGA Tour, the New Orleans Open was first contested in 1939.

TPC Louisiana was changed dramatically by original designer Pete Dye and Steve Elkington after the 2005 tournament. Many of his changes involved adding hazards to demand a more strategic approach. It’s a course where precision is essential. The greens are relatively large but they are undulating and it’s vital to leave yourself on the right side of the flag.

Jonas Blixt and Cameron Smith with the trophy and winners' belts. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)

Venue: TPC Louisiana, Avondale, Louisiana Date: April 26-29 Course stats: par 72, 7,425 yards Purse: $7,100,000 Winners: $1,022,400 (each) Defending Champions: Cameron Smith and Jonas Blixt (-27)

TV Coverage: Thursday 27– Sky Sports Golf from 7.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event from 10pm Friday 28 – Sky Sports Golf from 7.30pm Saturday 29 – Sky Sports Golf from 6pm, Sky Sports Main Event from 10pm Sunday 30 – Sky Sports Golf from 6pm, Sky Sports Main Event from 9.45pm

Not a Sky Sports customer and want to watch the Zurich Classic?

Why not buy a Now TV pass? For £7.99 you can get a day pass, if you just wish to watch one of the rounds, or for just £12.99 you can get a week pass to see the whole tournament.

Buy a Now TV Sky Sports Day Pass for £7.99

Buy a Now TV Sky Sports Week Pass for £12.99

Player watch:

Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson – The favourites are both major champions, Olympic medallists and proven match players. Rose comes into the event having narrowly missed out on Masters victory.

Jordan Spieth and Ryan Palmer - The Texans were 4th here last year and Spieth returns to action fresh from his Masters charge.

Patrick Reed and Patrick Cantlay - The two Patricks are highly fancied this week and rightly so. One of them has just won the Masters and the other is one of golf's hottest prospects. They came T14th last year as well.

Key Hole: 17th. A par-3 of 215 yards, this tends to rank as the toughest hole on the course. With a recently reshaped green, a pot bunker guarding the right side and difficult run-off areas, par is an excellent score here.

Skills required: Course management. Finding the right positions to attack the undulating putting surfaces is a key to success here.

Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV